Six galloping decades
When many of us hit 60 years old, we tend to think about throttling back from life’s “rat race.”
The Ford Mustang isn’t like many of us – it’s spending its 60th birthday by being faster, sharper and more technologically advanced than ever before. Indeed, that’s what we discovered about the all-new Mustang, which Ford Philippines previewed in Pasay City recently.
The carmaker took advantage of the time difference to celebrate the Mustang’s 60th anniversary ahead of its U.S. counterparts. Although final specifications have yet to be released, the bright-yellow beast that was displayed presents an exciting new chapter in the Mustang’s 60-year story.
Sharper styling
Compared to the previous-generation Mustang, the latest model incorporates more aggressive styling that follows evolution than revolution.
The tri-bar LED headlights up front flank a massive hexagonal grill, with large lower-bumper ducts ensuring plenty of air gets to the standard Brembo high-performance brakes on the 5.0 GT V8 model on display. A black chin spoiler and a prominent hood vent are additional clues to the Mustang’s sporty heritage.
Down the side, the black 19-inch wheels with meaty Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires draw just the right amount of attention, along with the subtle, black side skirt. This latest Mustang likewise incorporates a high beltline that leads to the wide and haunched rear fenders.
Finally, the all-new Mustang has a prominent rear deck that incorporates the familiar tri-bar taillights that are now heavily concaved for a modern twist on a six-decade-old design feature. Massive quad-exhaust tips show everyone behind (and there are bound to be plenty of them) that this coupe means business.
All-digital cabin
Muscle cars of yore used to be barebones – saving weight in the pursuit of straight-line speed.
But this all-new Mustang is bang up-to-date with a variety of advanced infotainment features, such as the 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and the 13.2-inch center touchscreen. In other markets, both use the Unreal gaming engine for highly customizable layouts and sharp, three-dimensional graphics.
Besides the fancy new gadgets, the Mustang still has surprisingly good room for four passengers, as well as premium Recaro sports seats that include provisions for racing harnesses.
V8 muscle
Ford Philippines announced at the event that the all-new Mustang would be available locally with two powertrains.
One is the turbocharged 2.3-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve “Ecoboost” inline-4 that, in other markets, pumps out 315 horsepower and 475 Newton-meters of torque. And the other, which Ford Philippines previewed, is the 5.0-liter, twin-cam, 32-valve “Coyote” V8 producing 500 horsepower and 567 Newton-meters of torque.
Both models will likely be available with the 10-speed automatic gearbox, which the preview unit had. But as with the previous Mustang, there is a 6-speed manual available for the V8 model.
There is no word yet if the Philippines would be one of the markets that would get the track-focused Mustang GTD. Besides a full aerodynamics package, uprated suspension, and beefier brakes, the GTD gets a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with an epic 800 horsepower.
For sale starting May 2024
Ford Philippines said the all-new Mustang will officially be available in local showrooms starting next month.
Prices start at P3,499,000 for the Mustang Premium Fastback and go up to P3,999,000 for the Mustang 5.0 V8 GT. There is no word yet if the Convertible variant would also be introduced in the Philippines.
Colors include: Iconic Silver, Oxford White, Race Red, Shadow Black and Vapor Blue Metallic. Hues exclusive to the GT variant are Grabber Blue and the preview unit’s Yellow Splash Metallic, both for an additional P20,000.
